Month: July 2013

Whilst on holiday I was interested to read in the French papers that the minister for the rights of women, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, has just taken an outline law to parliament. It has a number of dimensions - parental leave, pension supplements, measures against violence against women - but particularly interesting for the Paula Principle is the intention to use quotas to boost the representation of women in the conseils d'administration of large companies and of public bodies such as sports federations, chambers of commerce and consultative bodies. These councils are advisory rather than decision-making bodies, but can be influential. The minister proposes a quota of 40% of places to be…